La Salle Green Hills reigned supreme at the 2024 Private Schools Athletic Division Association (PRADA) 16-Under Basketball Tournament after a dominant 59-53 victory over the San Beda-Rizal Red Cubs.
The Greenies’ roster includes Chase Cuevas, Dean Paras, Carlos Victolero, Alfonso Villavicencio, Francis Nagaño, Carl Songco, Jacob Hizon, Gabriel Rosales, Zed Victorioso, Zyle Santos, Joaquin De Leon, Marlowe Alacapa, Dominic Tuason, Manuel Cruz, Dan Damian, Allexi Gacrama, Tomas Hernandez, and Kriztoff Bayabao.
For the Greenies, it was a tough battle to reach the top, having to eliminate Ateneo de Manila High School Blue Eagles to secure the fourth spot and book a date against the Xavier School Golden Stallions in the semifinals. All bets were placed on the Golden Stallions, who had dominated most born-2008 division tournaments and remained undefeated en route to the semis as the top seed.
However, the Greenies defied all odds, managing a comeback from 12 points down to beat Xavier and clinch a trip to the PRADA Finals, where they eventually faced San Beda-Rizal.
(C) LSGH
Unlike their tough task in the semis, LSGH cruised to the title, leading by as much as 14 in the first quarter alone, with Dominic Tuason leading the charge.
Tuason led all scorers for La Salle with 16 points and six rebounds, followed by Jacob Hizon, who nearly achieved a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Greenies were rounded out by Carl Anthony Songco, Allexi Stephen Gacrama, Chase Jared Cuevas, and Carlos Miguel Victolero, who combined for 20 points in the final match, never allowing San Beda to take the lead.
Head coach James Tolentino, whose experience includes time with the Terrafirma Dyip coaching staff in the PBA and playing for San Beda College Alabang in college, led the Greenies.
Throughout the season, Tolentino secured double crowns with LSGH in the aspirants’ division and SBCA in the juniors’ division.
Moving forward, the PRADA championship will serve as one of the boys’ final crowning achievements before being called up to play once more for the NCAA kiddies’ division.
